Shut-off cock



May 20,1930. H, J, CARSON 1,759,221

' SHUT-OFF COCK Filed May 9, 1927 Patented May 20, 1930 UNITED STATES i HIRAM 'J'. CARSON, nOIE? CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA.

SHUT-OFF COCK Application led May 9, 1927. Serial No. 189,943.

This invention relates to shut-ofi1 valves and cocks in relatively inaccessible locations, and for underground pipes used for the distribution of liquids and gases, and more particu,-

5 larly gas service pipes leading into buildings.

In the distribution of liquids and gases, more particularly illuminating gas, it is usual to provide the service pipe leading from the street main into a building with an underground stop-cock, to be closed only in emergencies. In practice the emergency requiring such closure may happen at any time, and on the other hand may not occur for-a dozen years, or at all. When the occasion does arise, as in case of a fire, for example, it is highly necessary to shut off the gas from-the service pipe. It is often found,n how er, that after a long lapse of time the sto cock has become stuck in open position and cannot be closed.

This action is common to stop-cocks now in general use, and frequently requires the dig.-

ging up and loosening of the stop-cock plug l before it can be turned. Gate-valves are often )used for this service, but are expensive, and

necessitate the location of the valve stuiling-y box below ground. In case leakage occurs at the stuffing-box it becomes necessary to dig down to the valve to permit the re-packing of the stulng-box. A

This invention consists of an improvement in what are known as mine-cocks, in which the large end of a tapered plug is below, with a spring to hold it in place. In its present form it is not adapted for underground use because when once turned it is not likely to seat tightly, and seepage or leakage around the top of the plug results.

The object of this invention is to provide a simple, inexpensive shut-off cock which may at any time be operated with certainty, and so constructed as to prevent the escape of gas by leakage or seepage whether the cock be open or closed. A

In the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification a stop-cock embodying the invention is shown in a single figure,

the most of the parts being shown in section in a plane central and vertical to the structure as installed for use. It is to be understood vapt to dislodge fine particles of dust or rust that the parts above the valve proper are much reduced in height, as indicated by the lines of breakage therein.

In the drawing,- the numeral 5 denotes a service-pipe, as for gas. This is commonly dlsposed in a horizontal position underground, and is, provided with a shut-off cock of some kind. The cock herein shown is of the mine-cock type, as above mentioned, and comprises the main body 6, a tapered plug 7 seated therein, with its larger end downward, a closure cap' 8 below the plug, and a spring 9 disposed between the plug and the cap, and adapted to press the plug more or less firmly into its seat. The smaller, upper end of the plug is provided with an angular shank or stem 10 (usually square) whereby the plug may be turned with a wrench or other suitable appliance. Provision being made to give access to the plug-shank from above ground, as 7o by a well or casing 11, this valve is turnable y from above by a socket-wrench 12. In the event of its sticking in an open position, as will generally happen in the case of long continued service in that position, the plug may be loosened by rapping on the upper end of the wrench, or by a short jarring movement of the wrench itself. In such a case, however, the act of loosening and turning the plug is into the space between the plug and its seat and cause a slight, but permanent leakage around the upper end of the plug. This would ball for the expensive operation of digging down to the valve to get access to it, 8f and sometimes the removal of the valve from the service pipe in order to reseat the plug.

An improvement which eliminates all this trouble and expense is herein shown, and is described as follows: y On one side of the valve body. surrounding the plug-shank, is formed an annular hub 13. vwhich is threaded to receive the threaded end `of a stand-pipe 14. The upper end of the wrench the valve-plug is easily loosened, if

' reseat the valve.

The main purpose of the casing or housing 1l is to' permit a little movement of the standpipe according to contraction and expansion of the service pipe, or the main to which it connects, (not herein shown), This is more lespecially important under conditions in which the underground piping is subjected to extremes of temperature. In other cases the housing may be dispensed with.

It is yto be understood that the stand-pipe extends to the surface of the ground, or near it, and that normally the cap is affixed, as in. dicated by the dotted outline. As thus constructed the improved cock for underground pipes constitutes an easily operated and bottle-tight shut-oft'.

To give effect to the arrin'g movement of the wrench, as above referred to the wrench should abut on the plug in such manner as to force it downwardly by such jar or thrust.

This is shown herein as a shank which is longer than the depth of the wrench socket, so that a blow or thrust of the wrench bears on the end of the shank.

.Having thus described my invention, I claim: I

l.r A normally sealed shut-oft' cock structure for underground gas pipes comprising: a pipe connecting body adapted to be connected in the underground pipe line, said body having a tapered valve seat therein with the larger end of the seat opening downward a correspondingly tapered' plu within an cooperable with Said seat, sai plugl being adapted for rotation and also downward endwise movement relative to said seat and provided at its upper portion with an upwardly facing portion and formed to cooperate with a wrench for turning; means for sealing the plug opening at the underside of the connecting body; means within the connecting body normally urging said plug upwardly into the seat; a pipe having a sealed connection at its lower end with said pipe connecting body and extended upwardly to a oint readily accessible from the ground leve and remove able sealing closure means for the upper end of said pipe whereby said closure means may be tem orarily removed' to receive a wrenc inserta le within the pipe to enga e and turn the plug. and also to engage sai u wardly facing portion of. the plug to force t e latter downward within the tapered seat to suiiiciently loosen the plug to permit turning.

2. A sealed shut-olf cock structure com-- body having a valve seat therein and a pipe tion and extending upwardly to a point read-y ily accessible from the ground level; and removable sealing closure' means for the upper end of said pipe whereby said closure means may be temporarily removed to receive a' wrench insertable within the pipe to engage the corresponding plug wrench formation to turn the latter and the wrench also utilized by downwardv endwise movement to engage said upwardly facing portion of the lug to force the latter downward to loosen t e same relative to its seat.

In testimony whereof I aiiix m signature.

- HIRAM J ARSON. 

